VILLE PLATTE – It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that the family of Leroy Joseph Chautin, 86, announces his passing on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center in Lafayette. After several weeks of declining health, Leroy passed away peacefully with his family by his side. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, October 19, 2022; at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ville Platte at 1:00 P.M. Father Tom Voorhies will be the celebrant of the mass followed by graveside services at Eternal Rest Cemetery in Ville Platte.

Leroy was born on February 10, 1936, in Lebeau, LA to the late Cleveland and Isabelle Chautin. He was the second to oldest of five boys. Leroy met the love of his life Helen Jane at the Rose Garden Lounge in Opelousas, back then the mothers would chaperone their daughters and the boys would have to ask for permission to dance with their daughters. Jane was thrilled when Leroy asked Mrs. Agnes to dance with her daughter and from then on, they were together for 56 years. Leroy worked at Stelly’s Bar-Lounge as a filling station attendant until he started working as a rod buster for TL James & Company and retired from there as a crane mechanic and inspector after 50 plus years. He was a hard worker who took pride in every job he tackled. Just as he dealt with all of his experiences and hardships in life, Leroy faced them with strength and grace. He was dedicated to his family and worked hard to provide for them. As adults, his children and grandchildren sought out his advice and guidance, they were blessed to have learned many valuable lessons from him. His nickname for everyone was “Buddy.” He was a man of great faith and served as an usher at his church for over 30 years. In his spare time, he liked being outdoors, spending time with his family, gardening, hunting, setting his lines in Bayou Rouge and cooking his famous (gumbo, fried fish and barbecue). Whiskey and Coke “a toddy” as Leroy called it, was his favorite evening drink. We all called it a “Leroy Chautin Drink.”  He enjoyed sitting on his swing, watching his purple martins and listening to French music on KBON 101.1. Every Sunday he looked forward to watching the Swamp N Roll TV show hosted by Todd Ortego. He also enjoyed making his muscadine wine, which was in high demand by everyone. His favorite saying was “And now these three remain; faith, hope, and love but the greatest of these is love” and that is exactly how he chose to live his life. “But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again” and we look forward to the day we meet again.

Left behind to cherish his memory are his two children, Tammy Johnson and her husband, David of Ville Platte, and Scott Chautin and his wife, Kathy of Minden. His three grandchildren: Britney Herboldsheimer and her husband Richard of Pine Prairie, Spencer Chautin, and Hunter Chautin of Minden. He will also be sadly missed by his two great grandchildren: Demi Herboldsheimer and Jolie Herboldsheimer. He is also survived by two brothers, Lee Charles Chautin and his wife, Betty, and Joe Huguet of Lebeau and his wife, Dorothy. One uncle, Charles Stelly of Lafayette and a special lifelong friend Ellis Parent of Prairieville, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Leroy now rests in Heaven with his wife, Helen Jane Chautin; parents, Cleveland and Isabelle Chautin; maternal grandparents, Arthur Stelly and Louise Lanclos Stelly; paternal grandparents, Joseph Albert Chautin and Philomene Stelly Chautin; brothers, Floyd Bobby Chautin and Cleveland Jr. Chautin and his beloved grandson, Nicholas Ted Johnson.

Visitation will be held at Ardoin’s Funeral Home of Ville Platte on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, from 11:00 AM until 9:00 PM.  A rosary be prayed at 6:00 PM.  Visitation will resume on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, from 8:00 AM until time of service. 

Serving as Pallbearers are David Johnson, Spencer Chautin, Hunter Chautin, Richard Herboldsheimer, Chet Chautin and Todd Chautin.

Family and friends may send condolences to the family at www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com.

Ardoin’s Funeral Home in Ville Platte is in charge of arrangements.